A sizeable group of British and Latin
American youth joined by other campaigners and trade unionists gathered in the
Saint George’s Community Circle on April 23rd. The reason was not to
celebrate Saint George’s Day but to critically debate the struggles all across
the Latin American continent with a special focus in Venezuela. The event
organised by this community centre, Hands Off Venezuela Campaign and New
Generation ended with a gig that lasted till the small hours. Vegetarian food
was served all day by the New Generation supporters at very affordable prices.

The day started with a workshop on the
meaning of Bolivarianism and Socialism introduced by Jorge Martin, from
the
Hands Off Venezuela Campaign. The attendants discussed the real
repercussions
of both ideologies these days in the ongoing Venezuelan Revolution and
what the real meanings of both terms for the Venezuelan masses are.
After this interesting discussion the attendants had the chance to hear
Colombia
Solidarity Campaign activist Andy Higginbottom talking on the war
launched by
Coca-Cola on the Colombian Trade Union movement. It was hair-raising to
hear
how the thugs hired by this corporation have assassinated
representatives of
the workers inside Coca-Cola plants. Andy finished his talk by
appealing to
people to implement the Killer-Cola Boycott. Before lunch time Jorge
Martin
reported on the uprising and overthrowing of the Lucio Gutierrez
government
after he failed to fulfill the hopes of the masses in working and
living
conditions (see Ecuador: Popular uprising overthrows Lucio Gutierrez).

Around 4pm the school reached its peak with
50 people joining in the discussion conducted by Dave Raby (Institute of Latin
American Studies in Liverpool) called “Transforming the Military”. Dave
explained how besides the reactionary traditions of the South American military
there was a progressive tradition. President Chavez and others organised
clandestine military movements to overthrow the corrupt and pro-bosses
governments of AD and COPEI (two main parties in Venezuela that alternated in
power until they were ousted in 1998). Hugo Chavez himself got inspiration from
progressive military movements in Panama and Peru. Next, different examples were
given of how the Venezuelan armed forces were being used not for repressive
ends, but for social ones. For instance, the Armed Forces are used to build
houses and clinics in the shanty towns around Caracas. The debate was very
animated and people discussed different issues, amongst them the formation of
popular militias and the meaning of "the people in arms".

When the debates finished “Venezuela from
Below” was screened while New Generation held salsa lessons. Afterwards, the
attendants enjoyed a gig where samba bands, DJs, folk music bands and hip hop
crews performed. One of the members of one of the Venezuelan bands that performed
in the concert refused to be part of the event on the basis that the School and
party were fundraising events to send young people to Caracas. The social
polarisation around the Venezuelan revolution goes beyond the Latin American
continent, and the repercussion of its victory will also go beyond the limits of
Venezuela and Latin America.

A sizeable group of British and Latin
American youth joined by other campaigners and trade unionists gathered in the
Saint George’s Community Circle on April 23rd. The reason was not to
celebrate Saint George’s Day but to critically debate the struggles all across
the Latin American continent with a special focus in Venezuela. The event
organised by this community centre, Hands Off Venezuela Campaign and New
Generation ended with a gig that lasted till the small hours. Vegetarian food
was served all day by the New Generation supporters at very affordable prices.

The day started with a workshop on the
meaning of Bolivarianism and Socialism introduced by Jorge Martin, from
the
Hands Off Venezuela Campaign. The attendants discussed the real
repercussions
of both ideologies these days in the ongoing Venezuelan Revolution and
what the real meanings of both terms for the Venezuelan masses are.
After this interesting discussion the attendants had the chance to hear
Colombia
Solidarity Campaign activist Andy Higginbottom talking on the war
launched by
Coca-Cola on the Colombian Trade Union movement. It was hair-raising to
hear
how the thugs hired by this corporation have assassinated
representatives of
the workers inside Coca-Cola plants. Andy finished his talk by
appealing to
people to implement the Killer-Cola Boycott. Before lunch time Jorge
Martin
reported on the uprising and overthrowing of the Lucio Gutierrez
government
after he failed to fulfill the hopes of the masses in working and
living
conditions (see Ecuador: Popular uprising overthrows Lucio Gutierrez).

Around 4pm the school reached its peak with
50 people joining in the discussion conducted by Dave Raby (Institute of Latin
American Studies in Liverpool) called “Transforming the Military”. Dave
explained how besides the reactionary traditions of the South American military
there was a progressive tradition. President Chavez and others organised
clandestine military movements to overthrow the corrupt and pro-bosses
governments of AD and COPEI (two main parties in Venezuela that alternated in
power until they were ousted in 1998). Hugo Chavez himself got inspiration from
progressive military movements in Panama and Peru. Next, different examples were
given of how the Venezuelan armed forces were being used not for repressive
ends, but for social ones. For instance, the Armed Forces are used to build
houses and clinics in the shanty towns around Caracas. The debate was very
animated and people discussed different issues, amongst them the formation of
popular militias and the meaning of "the people in arms".

When the debates finished “Venezuela from
Below” was screened while New Generation held salsa lessons. Afterwards, the
attendants enjoyed a gig where samba bands, DJs, folk music bands and hip hop
crews performed. One of the members of one of the Venezuelan bands that performed
in the concert refused to be part of the event on the basis that the School and
party were fundraising events to send young people to Caracas. The social
polarisation around the Venezuelan revolution goes beyond the Latin American
continent, and the repercussion of its victory will also go beyond the limits of
Venezuela and Latin America.